*3.1. Genius Loci—Layer of the Landscape: Searching for Stories of the SA-CEFs*

In total, 27 respondents were interviewed. Obtained data do not allow for a more general evaluation, which does not play a significant role in our case. Given that SA-CEFs represent anthropogenic elements in the post-military landscape with a specific history and therefore place with unique genius loci, our aim was to find stories that would capture this genius loci and thus essentially underline the function that A-CEFs fulfill not only in the first approach (Figure A4).

Most respondents had difficulty recognizing between stories that are historical and stories that relate to the site and its function as a brownfields site. Stories whose origins apparently date back to the post-war period were perceived by some respondents (historians, members of military history clubs) as unfounded, apparently fictional. The most frequently recurring motif in the category of unfounded stories was a military-themed plot

set in the WWII period. These stories or even 'fairy tales' were looked upon with disdain by respondents familiar with the history of A-CEFs.

In general, they put themselves in the role of those who want to prevent the spread of these fallacies, and thus they were also reluctant to share them with us and thus to participate further in their spread. These were mainly history experts, but they had encountered similar 'fallacies' at a younger age before they became experts, and these 'fallacies' were often at the origin of their interest in the history of A-CEFs and similar objects.

Only when asked additional questions did these experts comment on the subject of the stories they described as fictional. These included, for example, stories concerning the existence of vast underground spaces, ammunition stores, archives, underground factories, mass graves, etc.

On the contrary, the respondents from among the leaders of clubs working with children in leisure activities had a rather positive attitude towards unfounded stories and 'fairy tales'. This is due to the fact that these stories (fabulations) present objects in a more interesting (adventurous) framework and thus fulfill different functions in troop games, troop rehearsals, or even ceremonies.

The underestimation of the dangers of amateur inspection of the interior of fortress buildings in general (ignorance of the interior construction design, and therefore basically the pitfalls in the form of shafts, wells, and various ventilation openings) was often mentioned. Furthermore, the presence of homeless people who do not hesitate to use various traps to secure their 'property', or the presence of criminal elements.

The analysis of the statements shows some connection between the respondents and the specific SA-CEFs mentioned in the stories (e.g., interactions the respondent had with the object in early childhood or especially in adolescence). Conversely, some of the statements were of a general character, i.e., a story that can be applied to any object (the recurring motif of the underground in the A-CEFs).

The above results clearly show that A-CEFs fulfill 'hidden' functions with this landscape layer which is associated with genius loci. These functions are educational, cultural, social, etc. but at the same time closely connected to the genius loci of the place and thus constitute part of the hidden curriculum of the post-military landscape. This conclusion, therefore, corresponds to our stated objectives about the role of A-CEFs as a phenomenon of the post-military landscape.
